First time in Cairoالقاهرة

1. 1Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx at openingThe last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World; go at the gate's opening to beat the heat and the tour buses.Best 07:00–10:00 · EGP 800–1,100
2. 2Egyptian Museum, TahrirTutankhamun's treasures and the Royal Mummy Room; still worth a morning even as the collection splits with the new Giza museum.Best 09:00–11:30 · EGP 550–750
3. 3Khan el-Khalili bazaarMedieval lanes of gold, spice and souvenirs; go once by day to shop, once at night for the lit-up atmosphere.Best Late afternoon into the evening · Free to browse
4. 4Cairo Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad AliSaladin's fortress and Muhammad Ali's alabaster mosque, with a view over the whole city.Best Morning, avoiding Friday midday prayers · EGP 450–600
5. 5Al-Muizz StreetA run of Fatimid, Mamluk and Ottoman monuments in half a kilometre; the best-kept stretch of the old walled city.Best Late afternoon, cooler and pedestrianised · Free to walk

• Zamalek hotelsFor: First visit, calm nights, familiesQuiet island streets and a walkable riverside; accept a car ride to every sight.

Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Fastest and cheapest

Ride-hailing or hotel car to the door · about 55 min · about EGP 450

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

1 day

A stopover or a single day between other Egypt legs

2 days

The usual short Cairo stopover

3 days

First visit with a slower pace

• Papyrus shops selling banana-leaf 'papyrus' as the real reed-paper product at a high price: buy only where a museum or a known dealer can show the plant strip method, and expect to pay accordingly.(Scams)
• Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings.(Survive · red lines)
• Touts and unsolicited helpers at Giza, the Khan and stations quote one price and demand more: buy tickets at the official gate and agree everything in advance.(Survive · safety)

Budget day

EGP 800–1,500 excl. bed

Paying

Cash (Egyptian pounds) for stalls, tips, markets and most taxis; cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants. Many sights now take cards at the gate but keep cash as a backup. Carry small notes — EGP 200 and EGP 100 are hard to break at kiosks.

Cash

Keep EGP 1,000 in small notes for tips (baksheesh), toilets and small purchases; withdraw at ATMs inside banks or hotels. Exchange rates have moved fast, so check the rate before you trust a price.

SIM

Tourist eSIM bought before you fly: No counter, no queue; data-only on most plans.

Mosques

Shoulders, arms and legs covered for everyone; women cover their hair with a scarf and a robe is sometimes provided at the door; shoes off before the prayer carpet.

Churches (Coptic Cairo)

Modest dress; some ask women to cover their heads — carry a scarf just in case.

Ramadan

Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours even if you are not fasting; it is illegal, not just impolite.

Jan: Cool, some rain; good month.

Winter (Dec–Feb): The comfortable season: cool mornings, mild days, the best walking weather of the year.

Day 1 — Egyptian Museum at opening, Khan el-Khalili at dusk

Start about 08:30

1. 1Egyptian Museum, Tahrir
2. 2Cairo Citadel and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali
3. 3Khan el-Khalili
4. 4El Fishawy café (Khan el-Khalili)

Hotel or AC café 13:00–16:30 between the museum and the Khan.